People Leaving YouTube

A show of hands of people who did not see this coming? Any time you turn your back on the people who made you popular you're going to see this. It's like radio turning its backs on the listeners. They've all found other things to listen to. And, surely, something else will come along to fill the void.

Youtube is very much like radio. You have to motivate yourself to stay fresh. In my mind I only have one viewer. It's nice to be popular but you can't associate your self worth with subscribers who can come and go at will. I make the same videos I did a year ago when I had 100 subscribers. If you let others choose the way you see yourself you will always lose. Don't let sub counts or views effect your opinion on your videos.

Everyone has a story. Because of different skills and various editing software we can make videos from "professional" content to just plugging in a camera and recording. To me the best ones are those who are being themselves. One of my favorite vloggers is Berehed. He's a unicyclist who loves what he does. Just fun videos that are real and honest. He has 30 subscribers and loves showing his latest accomplishment. I never miss watching video and I always comment.

The internet and those who use it is always changing. My experience is that you get out of the internet what you put into it. Make it what you want it to be.

(Barry Aldridge comments on this article and has some great thoughts.

Bill Tv Stuff

Years ago I had the Bill Tv logo (from the original tapes and DVD's) put on a t-shirt that I gave to all my friends that got the tapes. I still see them around today.

Recently I was asking local printers about making some to sell. There are two web sites with the shirts made in two places.
BillTvMacon.Spreadshirt.net (uk)
BillTvMacon.Spreadshirt.com (usa)
and for more products, there's
CafePress.com/BillTvMacon for stuff. I mean stuff. Seriously, you'd have to be rich or crazy...or both to get some of this stuff.

I made a transparent logo and began setting up a site to offer these to my YouTube viewers. Two of my favorite offerings is the STAFF shirt and Unsuspecting Co-Host shirts. Please know that I will not make a dime from the sale of the shirts. And, I wish I could give one to everyone. I'm not really sure about the quality. I think I'm going to have to order one to wear on camera. This is crazy, isn't it?

The UK also now offers colour shirts! To read about that, go here.

Less Videos....Really?

Just as I say I'm cutting back several things have come up. I believe that the primary responsibility of active YouTubers (hehe...I typed Tuber again) is to help when asked. A couple of great projects got my attention. I was asked by Myles Dyer (Blade376) to make a 5 minute video for one of the breaks for Stickaid2009 coming up August 15th. That's been done and delivered. Then, Hank Green asked for videos for Global Geek Week. Seemed like a good idea. Criss Crass (OneLittleTuber) had a sensational idea for a series of videos for us to do. And, I still have the Chris Somers (MyNameIsChrisYeah) impersonation video to make.

I'd like to make a YouTube suggestion. If you could make a way for us to post videos to our account that are not sent to our subscribers, that would be very helpful.

Cutting Back On YouTube Videos

This Friday is my one year anniversary with YouTube. Actually, I didn't really start posting until late September with original content. A year is a nice marker to reassess what has happened and what I'll be doing.

I'll be cutting back on the number of YouTube videos I'll be doing. The bottom line is that the number of views don't represent but a third of the people subscribed to me. This number hasn't changed. It shows that most of my subs are there not because they enjoy what I do but because someone with more subs has shouted me out and they sub from some sort of obligation. For that I am very appreciative.

But the views for someone with 1,300 subscribers should be 1,300 or above! That's what successful YouTubing looks like.

OnleLittleTuber Birthday

I am always amazed at the response that the Birthday videos get. There have only been three. The first one being for Barry Aldridge because he is filled to the brim with Awesome, if I may use a Vlogbrothers/nerdfighters term. But for the most part applied to people who are musicians or really into music. The "Beeker" appearances started with Captain Wilhelm's "Take On Me Challenge" video and is a running gag. It is really one of my favorite videos that I've made.

Are they difficult or time consuming to make? No. Making one takes about two to three hours. The most difficult part is the audio. The current one is about 10 tracks. I wish I could play multiple instruments and read sheet music like a bandit, but I can only sing and work out the harmonies for myself. Filming the video parts is easy. All I have to have are enough clean shirts to use on all of the singers. (Please remember that referring to yourself in the "third person" is a form of mental illness.) Editing with Final Cut Express is effortless. Stack the parts and the "non destructive" editing features take over!

I never sing live. It's all lip synced. If you see me wearing headphones, then it's real.

Here's the latest for Criss Crass. He's a multi-talented guy who sings, produces his own videos and has a real intuition for marketing himself. He comes from a performing background and also is into Marshall Arts and his friends. I got to know him when we did a collab on a video together.



Here is Criss' video response!



He's the real singer! It was awesome of him to do that.


Other Birthday Videos:
Hexachordal
Barry Aldridge

Vlogbrothers

Everyone knows John and Hank Green of YouTube. Their yearly "Project For Awesome" brings awareness and money to some fantastic charities on a global scale. Not only are they entertaining but they represent the best of what YouTube can become in its purest form, people coming together to help others.

I was reading comments on my video "Rule of Three" and one appeared from Vlogbrothers.

"I have no idea what just happened...but it was AWESOME"

I freaked out.

So I waited a day, expecting to hear their site had been hacked which was how I got the comment. But, no, it was really the vlogbrothers.

So, I wrote a note thanking them for the comment and rating the videos. John wrote back and said it was Hank who commented but he had just watched a few and subbed because he liked my style and was looking forward to what was next.

It's like life. Everybody begins YouTube with 0 subscribers and 0 videos. The experience is what you make of it. I am most fortunate to have people who view and comment and great lifelong friends I have made all over the country and world. John and Hank continue to show us what can be done if you take it to the next level.

Independance Day Gathering

RogueBluejay had his gathering in London this past Saturday. There are a couple of great videos about it. Enjoy!